Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2026
Rat Model of Normothermic Ex-Situ Perfused Heterotopic Heart Transplantation
Published on: April 21, 2023
Near-zero Ischemia After Prolonged Warm Ischemic Time: Beating-heart DCD Heart Transplantation Following
Matteo Marro1, Erika Simonato1, Antonio Loforte1
1Cardiac Surgery Division, Department of Surgical Sciences, City of Health and Science University Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Background:
Heart transplantation is limited by donor organ shortage and ischemia-reperfusion injury, particularly in donation after circulatory death (DCD). Thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion (TANRP) enables in situ myocardial resuscitation and assessment, while beating-heart strategies further reduce ischemic exposure.
Methods:
We report a DCD heart transplantation performed using in situ TANRP followed by beating-heart procurement, short-distance transfer without coronary flow, and implantation under continuous normothermic blood perfusion using the recipient cardiopulmonary bypass circuit.
Results:
Graft ischemic time was near zero. Immediate graft function was achieved, and no early postoperative complications were observed.
Conclusions:
This case supports the technical feasibility of an almost fully ischemia-sparing, beating-heart transplantation strategy after TANRP in DCD donation. Further experience is required to assess reproducibility, safety, and clinical impact.
